Hal Robson-Kanu insists Wales is ready to become a “football nation” and the country’s “special ­generation” can shock the big boys at Euro 2016.

The Welsh rugby side face Australia on Saturday ­afternoon, having already ­guaranteed a quarter-final place after hastening tournament hosts England’s World Cup exit. And the nation's football team, now ranked eighth globally, can reach their first major finals since the 1958 World Cup if they don't lose their game later in the day.

The Group B leading Welsh need just a point away to Bosnia-Herzegovina in their penultimate qualifier to secure a place at the finals in France next summer.

And if third-placed Israel fail to win their corresponding home game against Cyprus, Wales will qualify anyway and turn Tuesday’s final game at home to minnows Andorra into a party.

And Wales’ Reading and ex-England Under-20 striker Robson-Kanu, set to spearhead their attack in Zenica, says the ­principality is primed to go football crazy.

In pictures — Wales beat Cyprus to move to the brink of qualification:

“Wales has been known as a rugby nation but it is ­definitely a football nation,” insisted the 26-year-old, who has won 28 caps after making his debut in 2010 and is eligible via his Welsh grandmother, Elizabeth.

“It is only because the Wales national team haven’t achieved what we would like to see them achieve that we haven’t been classed as a football nation. But now we are making a statement in the game, we will definitely see big support like our leading clubs Swansea and Cardiff get, which is a lot greater than that of the rugby clubs.

“Our aim is to get to the Euros and, I think, once we do that the support you will see in France and from the nation will be immense.

“It has always been a goal for the national team to be competitive at ­international level and now we’re ranked eighth in the world [above England]. It is very much only a start, our goal is to qualify and when we do qualify we are going to look to do as well as we can in terms of the ­tournament.

They think it's all oval: Rugby has been Wales' No 1 sport for decades (Image: Rex)

“We have a special group and a special ­generation and are winning games and being successful.

“It is an honour to be a part of it as, since I was very young, my gran always wanted me to play for Wales.

“I was picked up by England early on but I was aware Wales wanted me to play for them. I have never looked back since I made the choice and now we are ranked above England in the world ­rankings.”

Robson-Kanu is on the threshold of an exciting club season too with Reading sitting third in the Championship and pushing hard to return to the Premier League after three seasons in the second tier.

It is a far cry from his teenage years, when successive cruciate knee ligament operations saw doctors write off his ­prospects as a professional.

But, despite being released by Arsenal, he has made it – and is now working weekly with sports biomechanist and performance specialist Drewe Broughton.

Heading for the heights: Robson-Kanu hopes to mix it with Arsenal again next season (Image: REUTERS)

The forward, who has started Wales’ last six ­qualifiers, explained: “I had two cruciate injuries, when I was 15 and 16. Both were a year out of the game and before the second operation the doctor said he didn’t think I would be able to play at an elite level – those were his words.

“To hear that as a 16-year-old... it is some ­challenge to overcome.

“I was in tears because it was my dream to be playing football professionally and that is all I wanted to do.

“It was a tough time but it gave me a lot of resilience and determination and, to achieve what I have in the game now, a lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes.”

Robson-Kanu is in the final year of his contract, but the versatile attacking ace is focused firmly on the Royals’ promotion bid.

And at international level, he is happy to lead the line alone as Wales’ latest No.9 while superstar Gareth Bale rampages behind him, with his efforts earning his own chant - to the tune of Salt N Pepa hit Push It from the fans.

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He added: “It is a massive privilege when you consider some of the greats who have worn the No 9 shirt in the past.

“I have good pace and try to use it effectively and impose my game on the ­opposition, which I do for Wales and Reading.

“Reading have had a good start to the season, I want to be playing in the Premier League with them. It is about getting the job done for club and country.”